Ramadan is the best month of treatment
Towfiq Sultan :
The month of Ramadan is undoubtedly a holy month and it is the duty of all Muslims to protect the sanctity of Ramadan. Islam is a beautiful and simple religion that has made people’s lives easier.
Islam never oppresses anyone for there are rules. If the disease increases during fasting, fasting is considered inappropriate. In this situation, it is important to break the fast. Allah Ta’ala says, ‘Do not kill yourself. Undoubtedly, Allah is Most Merciful to you.
A old person or an incapacitated person suffering from a disease from which there is no possibility of recovery will pay two and a half sers of wheat (the amount of Fitrah) or an equivalent value in lieu of each fast. In Islamic terms it is called Fidya. (Jawahirul Fiqh, Volume 01, Page: 29)
In this context, Allah Ta’ala says: The duty of the weak is to give fidya, it is to give food to a poor person. (Surah Baqarah, verse: 184)
Fasting is not necessary for the very old. But that person will pay Qaza to someone else or pay fidya. For each fast a poor person will be fed one meal.
The donation given by a person unable to fast is called ‘Fidiya’.
If an adult Muslim of common sense is unable to fast due to old age or illness or any other reason and is not likely to recover and perform the qaza of the fast, he shall pay a fidya equal to one sadaqat al-fitr for each fast.
The fast of one cannot be observed by the other, so Fidya is not a fast instead of a fast; Fidya is the giving of food or its value in lieu of fasting. Fidya is a monetary donation or charity in lieu of fasting. Therefore, it is not necessary for the one who is given fidya to fast, such as: a minor, a poor child or an old, weak and disabled, sick, helpless, poor person, who himself is unable to fast.
The amount of Fidya is one Fitrah amount for each fast. Regarding the amount of Fitr, it is stated in Hadith Sharif, ‘Sadakatul Fitr’ is one Sa’ (3 kg 300 g) of food. Abu Sayyid Khudri (RA) said, “Our food was dates, raisins, cheese and barley (Bukhari, Volume: 1, Pages: 204-205).”
If the blood sugar or blood sugar level decreases while fasting, then you must immediately break the fast and eat sugary foods to increase the blood sugar. Because if there is a shortage of sugar in the brain even for a short period of time, it can cause permanent damage. Then make up the broken fast according to religious rules. Diabetics are usually given two doses of medication. However, people who take insulin three times a day are considered to have advanced diabetes. Fasting is not possible in such patients.
If it is difficult to pray more during fasting, then taking modern physiotherapy with the advice of a physiotherapy specialist who can help you to be free from pain or depression to a large extent. People suffering from spinal problems, knee-hip-neck pain arthritis or paralysis have nothing to be disappointed with this fast.
If you pray regularly, you can be free from neck-hip-knee pain to a large extent. And those suffering from rheumatic pain can apply 5 to 10 minutes of warm water or cold water to the painful area.
You can take scientific based physiotherapy, there will be no problem in fasting. If it is difficult to pray for a long time or at the end, you can sometimes pray on a chair. And Surah Tarabi prayers can be read normally. Fatty and oily food should not be eaten at Iftar. Eat fruits, juices or drinks instead. It will provide quick energy.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is worship, because it is the command of Allah. Fasting is called the door of worship in Hadith Sharif. Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has pointed out the importance and characteristics of worship in the month of Ramadan, ‘O people! A glorious month has overshadowed you. One night of this holy month is better than a thousand months in terms of blessings and virtues. Allah has made fasting this month obligatory and standing in front of Allah in its nights is a nafl worship. A person, who performs Sunnah or Nafal worship without the obligatory worship during the night of Ramadan, will be given the same reward as the obligatory worship during other times. And the person who fulfills any obligation in this month, he will get merit equal to 70 obligatory acts of other times.’ (Bayhaqi)
Fasting is not only a month of self-purification, but also a month of self-control. Discipline is established in the body by conducting itself according to certain rules. In order to overcome the effect of abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during fasting, the body has to operate in a different way during this time.
Since you have to go without food for a long period of the day, it is necessary to eat nutritious food and drink water as much as possible during Sehri and Iftar. Many fast without Sehri, which can lead to health risks.
Since water cannot be drunk throughout the day, doctors advise to focus on ensuring body moisture. Drink water slowly in Ramadan. Drinking too much water at once can increase the pressure on the kidneys. So be careful. Eating heavy or oil-spiced food at Iftar can cause various problems in the body.
Due to illness, many people may not be able to fast even if they want to. There are many who have controlled diseases like hypertension, asthma, peptic ulcer or diabetes by taking treatment. Many of such people are unable to fast despite their desire due to lack of proper guidance. According to experts, it is very easy to fast in diseases which can be controlled by medicine. According to doctors, people suffering from these diseases can fast if they want. It is possible to control or cure the disease along with fasting only by changing the medicines used for various diseases.
Writer Towfiq Sultan is an Intern Student, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
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